After the celebrations of the festive season reach their inevitable end, what is needed are reset meals that restore one’s healthy and nutritious lifestyle. Work begins in earnest after the holidays too, which means there is very little time for prepping and cooking in the first week of the new year. During this time, healthy, subtly flavoured and nourishing one pot meals can be the go-to options. After much indulgence, these recipes bring back simplicity, clean flavours and a lightness onto the palate. Easy to clean and quick to prepare, these dishes can be prepared as dinnertime staples to ease back into the routine.
Vegetable Khichdi
Light, subtly spiced and containing good levels of protein, prepare veggie khichadi that mixes rice and moong dal with the savoury flavours of carrots, beans and onions. Make the khichadi in a single pot by adding moong dal, rice and vegetables to a tempering of cumin, ghee, curry leaves, turmeric, chilli powder and other assorted spices. Cook the khichadi to a soft, mushy consistency and serve with a dollop of ghee and pickle as a nourishing meal on the first night after the new year’
Chicken And Vegetable Clear Soup
With the working day routine under way, the meal on the second evening can be a simple and easy-to-digest clear soup cooked in chicken broth. Simmer garlic, ginger and coriander in the broth along with black pepper for more flavour and add boiled veggies such as cabbages, carrots and bok choy to the soup. Warm, light and comforting, the clear soup can be served with a side of quinoa khichadi.
Dal Khichadi
A classic combination that’s always delicious, dal khichadi can be served as a one-pot meal that combines nutrition and flavour. Mix tur dal and rice together and cook them in a single pot. Pour a tempering of oil, mustard seeds, cumin, curry leaves, turmeric, hing and red chillies over this mixture and serve hot with a side of roasted papad. Fuss-free and low effort, this can be the meal that winds down the third day after the new year’s.
Rajma And Spinach Stew
On day four, as things settle slowly into old rhythms, something interesting can be prepared to ward off mid-week blues. Cook rajma and boiled spinach in a single pot and season them with minced garlic, ginger, garam masala and diced onions. Add assorted spices for more flavour and prepare a rich gravy in a pressure cooker. Serve this with warm rotis.
Millet Vegetable Pulao
With the weekend approaching, go lighter on the meals so the week closes on a healthy note. A simple meal of millet pulao, cooked in a large pot for the whole family can be the go-to option. Add whatever vegetables are leftover in the fridge, including carrots, beans, cabbage and peas to the pot and craft a delicious, aromatic pulao seasoned with black pepper, salt, homemade masala and a dash of chilli powder.
One-Pot Vegetable Pasta
With the first weekend of the new year already in, keep up the clean eating streak with a veggie pasta dish as the day six dinner. Bring together boiled whole wheat pasta in a single pot with tossed veggies including mushrooms, carrots, corn and broccoli. Serve this veggie loaded dish with a topping of parmesan cheese and a black pepper sprinkle for a subtle flavour pop.
Curd Rice With Tempered Curry Leaves
On day seven, that marks the end of the first week of the new year, choose something light and healthy. A nourishing bowl of curd rice, creamy and lightly flavoured with a tempering of curry leaves, mustard and hing tossed in ghee can be the way to go. Add a pomegranate garnish to finish off this healthy meal with a crunch and freshness.